Combination blotter and pencil-sharpener



F. W. AIKEN.

COMBINATION BLOTTER AND PENCIL SHARPENER. APPLICATION FILED 0CT.2I. 1919.

1,363,546; mm Dec. 2 ,1920.

John Doe C0mpany New York,

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INVENTOR; #M M (g MW 5 9 k; ATTORNEYZ.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. AIKEN, 0F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JACOB MILTON RICE, 0F DAYTON, OHIO.

COMBINATION BLOI'TER AND PENCIL-SHARPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

Application filed October 21, 1919. Serial No. 332,283.

To aZZ to 7mm it may 001mm:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. AIKEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Blotters and Pencil-Sharpeners, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an advertising medium that is not only efficient as such but which is extremely useful as a combined blotter and pencil sharpener. Being a blotter containing a sandpaper or like insert, it is an article which can be cheaply produced in large quantities for a wide distribution among an advertisers prospective customers.

Since the sandpaper insert is light and flush with the upper surface of the blotter, the latter can be readily mailed at small cost to persons whom an advertiser desires to reach. The device lends itself well to advertising purposes, for on its top surface attractive legends can be placed, suggesting its use as a blotter, and, in addition, pointing out that on its sandpaper insert, pencils may be sharpened without the inconvenience of using a knife for this purpose.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of one of my improved blotters containing in its upper right hand corner a sandpaper insert covered by a flexible flap. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of said blotter, showing the flap in its raised position to permit a pencil point to be rubbed upon the surface of the sandpaper. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal edge view of said blotter. And Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a square blotter containing a sand paper insert in its upper left hand corner.

Throughout the. specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates an ordinary blotter in whose upper surface is impressed, or otherwise secured, a sandpaper or like insert 2 preferably of disk shape, and approximately flush with the top surface of the blotter. This insert is placed on theblotter to permit pencil points to be sharpened upon it without the necessity upon the part of the user, of resorting to the use of a knife for this purpose. As a time-saver, this pencil-sharpening insert has everything in its favor, for much more time is required to withdraw a knife from the pocket and open it, than merely to scratch the point of the pencil upon its sandy or rough surface.

To prevent the fingers from being soiled by touching the insert after it has been used one or more times, there is secured to the blotter, in a position to cover the insert when not being used, a flexible flap 3. When it is desired to sharpen a pencil, this flap or cover can be easily raised to permit the pencil point to be rubbed upon the sandpaper insert 2 below.

In Fig. 1 the blotter contains a legend which suggests its uses, and, in addition, continuously and effectively calls the attention of the user to the name, address and service of the advertiser- It is thus seen that the blotter lends itself well to effective, and yet relatively inexpensive, advertising.

The blotter may be made of any suitable material and in any size. In Fig. 4 is shown a square blotter 4 that contains a sandpaper insert 2 in its upper left hand corner. This blotter 4 is adapted to be folded upon itself along a diagonal 5, so that it may be conveniently slipped under one corner edge of a desk-blotter holder.

The insert 2 may likewise be made of any suitable material, and placed at any point in the blotters upper surface.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, the combination with a blotter, of a pencilsharpening insert impressed in the upper surface of said blotter a sufficient distance to make the top surface of the insert approximately flush with the top surface of any portion of the blotter, and not projecting below its lower surface.

2. In a device of the type described, the combination with a blotter, of a relatively flat sandpaper insert impressed in its top surface a suficient distance to make the top surface of the insert approximately flush with the top surface of any portion of the blotter, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of October, 1919.

FRANK W. AIKEN.

Witness HOWARD S. SMITH. 

